SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe
The MDC-T’s Harvest House headquarters has been placed under 24-hour anti-riot police surveillance, following the party’s rejection of the outcome of the just-ended election. ZANU PF and President Robert Mugabe emerged victorious in the poll which was flawed and fraught with too many irregularities to pass the credibility test. The party’s supporters have failed to celebrate what observers say is an ill-gotten victory. Eyewitnesses told SW Radio Africa that there is a heavy presence of security forces in the capital, with roadblocks mounted on all roads leading from the suburbs into the city centre. In the past week police officers, assisted by military intelligence, have been stopping and searching vehicles travelling into Harare city centre, allegedly for weapons. SW Radio Africa correspondent Simon Muchemwa said the heightened police presence appears to be linked to the MDC-T’s refusal to accept Mugabe’s sham win, in an election dismissed by Tsvangirai as null and void.“There is fear within ZANU PF and police circles that the MDC-T may call for street protests in light of the rigged outcome. So their presence is partly to intimidate and also to pre-empt any protests by the restive population.” An MDC-T official based at Harvest House said the round-the-clock police presence was not only intimidating but also disruptive. “We are in the process of gathering evidence proving that ZANU PF rigged this election, but our supporters cannot bring this to us for fear of being arrested,” he added. The official added that there was also a strong possibility that the increased surveillance was linked to what was alleged to be a plan to raid more than 100 MDC-T premises. On Wednesday, the MDC-T said it had it on good authority that security forces had prepared scores of search warrants to enable them to seize any material linking ZANU PF to poll rigging. The MDC-T is expected to appeal the ZANU PF win at the ConCourt by Friday. Bulawayo residents also reported increased police patrols across the suburbs, with anti-riot water cannons positioned at the West Commonage in Mpopoma. Annahstacia Ndlovu told SW Radio Africa that there were many police details patrolling the city, some in plainclothes. She said: We all know and are unhappy that this election was stolen, why are they intimidating us instead of savouring their win? “Zimbabweans have not shown any signs of mutiny since the election result was announced, but you can tell that ZANU PF is afraid and don’t believe that people will let them get away with it,” Ndlovu said. Armed patrols were also reported in Karoi, with journalist Nhau Mangirazi writing on Facebook that the police had set up a base at Domborenhamo near Chikangwe bus terminus.↧